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How to catch Bleak

Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758)

About Bleak fishing

The bleak is a small, slender freshwater fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, recognisable by its elongated body, deeply silver flanks, and a slightly superior mouth turned upwards. Reaching a maximum length of 30 cm and typically much smaller, this schooling species inhabits the open waters of lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing rivers, often gathering near the surface or around shallow stony shores. It feeds primarily on plankton, drifting insects, and organic matter falling onto the water surface. Bleak are highly gregarious, moving in large shoals, and spawn during the warmer months from spring through summer in shallow riffles or over submerged vegetation. While of little commercial value, they are widely appreciated by anglers as exceptional live bait for larger predatory fish.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    15 cm TL

  • Habitat

    Freshwater, Brackish

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

Bleak

Forked caudal shape

Deeply forked caudal fin helps distinguish this active swimmer.

Abdominal pelvic fins

Abdominal pelvic-fin placement is characteristic of primitive teleosts.

Slightly superior mouth

Slightly superior mouth position adapted for feeding near surface waters.

Bleak fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    15 cm TL (max 30 cm SL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 0.1 kg )

  • Depth

    2 m

  • Longevity

    7 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Vulnerability score

    31.9

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Peak

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Active

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Bleak

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Bleak

Tips for catching Bleak

To target bleak successfully, use ultra-light tackle equipped with fine lines, small hooks, and delicate wagglers to detect subtle bites near the surface layers. Light float fishing or pole fishing with single maggots, pinkies, or small fragments of bread crust works exceptionally well when cupping in fine groundbait to hold the shoal in your swim. Alternatively, fly anglers can experience fast sport by presenting small dry flies or terrestrial insect patterns on a light weight rod during warm summer mornings and evenings when fish actively rise to surface drift. Focus your efforts on the upper layers of slow rivers, canal margins, or breezy lake shores where surface currents concentrate natural food items.

Other names for Bleak

Local and alternate names anglers use for Bleak.

  • Bleak

Best equipment to catch Bleak

Compare fishing methods for Bleak — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Bleak

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Bleak migrates — Potamodromous

Migrates within rivers and lakes only. Fish upstream runs and seasonal lake movements, not saltwater.

How Bleak migrates — Potamodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows. 2. Larvae: Fry drift or swim down to slower water. 3. Adults: Feed in the main river or lake. 4. Spawners: Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.
Upstream Main river or lake

1 Eggs

Upstream

Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows.

2 Larvae

→ Main river or lake

Fry drift or swim down to slower water.

3 Adults

Main river or lake

Feed in the main river or lake.

4 Spawners

→ Upstream

Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.

The whole cycle stays in fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Bleak

  • Diet

    Omnivore

  • Feeds by

    Mixed feeder

  • Hunts

    Morning · Afternoon

  • Main prey

    Baitfish · Plankton

  • Used as bait

    Yes

Prey and predators of Bleak

Prey is what Bleak eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Fish

  • Alosa macedonica juv./adults
  • Lota lota juv./adults
  • Sander lucioperca juv./adults
  • Silurus glanis juv./adults

Where Bleak lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Freshwater, Brackish
Depth zone
From 2 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives